Pages

Monday, November 7, 2011

Peaceful End to a Beautiful Live

Hello All,

It is with great sadness that I must report that Katie passed away at about 5:10 this morning. The final days of her life were pain free, peaceful, and surrounded by family and friends. We were never able to fully wake her again following Thursday nights battle with pain and nausea, but I know she was able to hear what was going on around her and was aware that she was surrounded with love. I will be making arrangements for Katie's memorial service and will post the details as soon as they are finalized. Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support through this entire journey.

I'm so sad to hear this news Kevin, but very glad to hear Katie was surrounded by family, friends and LOVE during her last days. I know we've all been thinking about her, yourself and the boys. Sending lots of love to you and your family during this difficult time. <3

Kevin, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know Katie well, but it is absolutely evident that she was a beautiful person, and she leaves behind a beautiful family. Will continue to keep you and your boys in my thoughts. x

My thoughts are with you and your beautiful boys. Katie was a huge inspiration at the start of the year in helping me to deal with life changing circumstances. I am glad to hear she left surrounded with family and with her pain controlled. Hugs Pascale xxx

I have been sitting here wondering what to say. There were only two comments when I got here but now there are at least twenty. I hope your children will read all these comments one day and realize what a strong woman you were and how your craftiness and spirit inspired all those that knew you both in the flesh and cyber-ly. I am glum.

Kevin, I am so very sorry for your loss. Katie was a beautful person and she will live on in you and your children always. God bless you all during this incredibly difficult time.Thank you sharing your story with us!Daniela

oh Kevin I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. I actually coloured the image Lori did of your three boys last night. Rest In peace Katie xxx

Peace and Love to you and the boys. I am so very sad and sorry that Katie lost her hard fought battle. Your last post was so real of how these memories will fade but you will always have Katie's smile in your heart and soul and when you look at the beautiful / handsome boys you created with Katie. Sending many thoughts and prayers for you. Very sad day~~ Rest in Peace Katie!!! Your courage, grace and strength have left a mark my heart forever.

I expected to see this and kept checking often every day for an update - but it still hits one in the heart to see the post heading. Once again there are no words.

I am so sorry for the loss of the beautiful Katie for you and your boys. I am so glad that she did not suffer during her final days and that you all were with her - God knows how that girl fought and how unbelievably brave she was. I so wanted for her to be with you at Christmas. Such a tragic loss.

God Bless you for all that you have done and for being with Katie every step of the way. Please know that you and the boys will continue to be in my prayers every day. This is so hard to believe that she is gone.

Kevin, thank you for keeping us updated on this last leg of Katie's battle. You are a true testament to love and devotion. I'm praying for your family in this difficult time. Thank you for all the love that you gave my friend! My last few conversations with Katie were about the goals you were helping her achieve. Thank you for being her rock and for everything you've done to make Katie's last few months amazing from the trips to the motorcycles and so much more, you kept Katie happy and that is amazing.

(((Kevin and boys))) I am so so sorry for this painful loss. With the depth of your love for beautiful Katie, I know that there will be many tears followed eventually by many many wonderful memories of her. In my heart I can hear the angels rejoicing her return to heaven and I hope someday that you will hear that in your heart, too. Katie's stamping/papercrafting family will always be here if you need us! God bless you all!

I'm so very sorry to hear that Kevin. I've been so impressed at the strength both you and Katie have shown through all of this. I'm glad that you were all surrounded by friends and family the past few days and that Katie spent those days out of the pain she'd been feeling. I'll continue to keep you and the boys in my thoughts for a long time to come. Peace to you.

Your family is in my heart and thoughts, Kevin. Katie was a brave, amazing woman, an example of courage for all of us. I'm sure she left feeling completely surrounded by inmense ammounts of love, the same love she'll surround you with from Heaven.Lorena from Spain.

My condolences Kevin to you and your boys. While I didn't know Katie in person, I always enjoyed her creations and her blog posts. I followed this last year's journey closely, hoping for the best possible outcome. I'm sorry for your loss. Please know that so many people loved Katie and cared so much for you and your family. My thoughts are with you all.Lori

Though I have not commented much publicly, I have struggled, cried and prayed for you and Katie her whole journey, hoping for the best but fearing the unknown. I am sad for you and the boys, but relieved Katie is no longer suffering. I hurt with you. Your strength is amazing and I wish and pray for peace for you and your boys during this most difficult time.

I never met Katie but feel as though I've known her for a long time. I am so sad she is gone but so thankful to have gotten to know her these last few months. I pray that she has the peace and comfort she has so desperately needed and that your family soon finds peace and comfort in your memories of her.

Kevin & Boys, I am sorry for your loss!! I didn't personally know Katie, but i did follow her journey and know she fought an amazing battle. She reminded me so much of my mom and her fight against cancer also. Who lost her battle 5 months ago. She was such inspiration to so many!! I pray for peace and love in the days and weeks ahead! May Katie RIP~ May God comfort you all!!

So very sorry for your loss. I didn't know Katie but have followed through her journey.....she seemed like an amazing woman who touched a lot of people's lives. Will be thinking of you and your family and wishing you all strength.

Oh my another sweet soul has left us to become an angel and the crafting community will miss her so. Her spirit over the past year has so inspired me and so many others. Your family's strength and courage was a beautiful thing to witness and Katie was so lucky to have you all there for her. I know you will miss her so and I am sending lots of love & prayers of peace and strength your way.

Kevin, I am so sorry that you and your sons have suffered this loss. I just want to share a bit in hopes of encouraging you regarding your sons. My own mother passed away from stomach cancer shortly after I turned seven, so I can relate to what your boys are going through. I just want to reassure you that we still remember my mother--I think back to the happy times--and even though this sorrow happened to us, I still think of my childhood as happy. Better to have had a good loving mother for just a few years than a bad mother your whole life. I can tell you are a wonderful father (as mine was), and your boys will be fine. Blessings and peace to you all--

Kevin,My heart is filled with great sorrow over Katie's passing. I have no words to say that would be adequate but I can pray for your strength, courage and for the boys' to be covered by the shelter of God's wings during this very sad time. I pray that the Lord will flood you with His perfect peace and love. With my deepest sympathy...

I am glad that Katie is at peace and has no more pain. She was an amazingly courageous and loving person. I am so glad she had you Kevin, and the boys, by her side throughout this ordeal. Keeping you all in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

So very sad :( Like everyone, I wish there were magic words to say to help take away the pain you feel but in their absence I hope at least you can feel the love that surrounds you all and that it brings some small measure of comfort to you and your boys. xxx

I feel so sad for you all. Katie must have been such a wonderful person - she touched so many lives. May the Lord keep you strong and hold you all close. Kevin, thank you for posting on Katie's amazing blog to keep people like me (from the other side of the world - and who you don't even know)updated on her condition. God bless you all.

Dear Kevin, We are so so sorry for your loss! Give those babies of your lots of hugs! Remember all the good times and love. She was so blessed to have you and your wonderful boys! Know that you are all in our prayers, and if you need our support, we are here for you and those precious boys! Katie is at rest and will be your angel to get you through! Big Hugs to all of you! Don & Leah Ann

I'm so very sorry for your loss. May you and your family have the peace of mind that Katie is now at rest and with God and that she will always be present in your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very sad time. God Bless.

Kevin so sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for you. Families ARE forever and I know you will be together again. Katie is looking down, loving you and your sweet boys. You are in our family's prayers. We send you all of our love.

I am so very sorry Kevin to read this. I hope you find peace in knowing that she is wrapped in love in the arms of God. You are amazing and have been so through this all and she knows you and the family were right there with her surrounding her with love. My heart goes out to you and the family. Sending lots of love, hugs and prayers. God Bless.

I am so sorry for your loss...I have been following Katies blog long before her illness...I love it, as she always had such a great way with words....I hope you will get her blog made into a book for the boys, it had so much of her in it and a great memory for them to have. I am very glad she is no longer suffering, and don't even know what to say...except you can be proud of yourself for all you have helped her through...my thoughts and prayers are with your family..take care!!

Kevin I am so sorry for this painful transition you are left to bear. Your wife is free of all pain and suffering and lives within all of a us. Your boys are so wonderful and they will be your rocks too so you don't always have to be the solid foundation. I thank you for the gift you have given all of us at such a cost. Beth

I am so sorry for your loss, Kevin. I will continue to keep you and the boys in my prayers. Katie was an inspiration to so many and so are you. Praying for your comfort and strength in the difficult days to come. Heaven has a new angel today.

I have been so touched by Katie through this blog, as I know hundreds of others have. Her story is not just the cancer...it is also the joy and creativity that she brought to the crafting world and to your family and friends. When I first began reading Katie's blog I was in awe of how she could write so articulately about her sad journey. Now I realize that this was just more evidence of how talented and unique Katie was. I am so sorry that you and your boys have lost the love and light of your special Katie.

Dear Kevin and boys,I am so deeply saddened by the lost of your beautiful wife and mother Katie...what a hard battle she fought and with such courage and dignity...and bless each of you for your ability to make her journey more bearable with the love, compassion and support you gave to her...the world has lost a beautiful soul and God has gotten a beautiful angel...may you find comfort in the wonderful memories that you have...

Rest in peace Katie Im so sorry for your huge loss Kevin sending prayers for you the boys and family Katie touched so many lives including mine with her contagious zest for life,humor and generosity she will be missed immensly God Bless xxx

I am so sorry Kevin. I never met you or Katie, but I want you to know she was a great source of inspiration to me as I also battle cancer. I got diagnosed with cancer in December last year at about the same time as Katie. May she rest and peace and may you and your wonderful children find comfort and strength in this difficult time of your life. I will miss Katie's creativity and posts. Virginia

I am so very heartbroken to hear of your family's loss of Katie. I am sending gentle hugs, caring thoughts, and lots of prayers to you and your family. Katie deserved to be surrounded by her loved ones and be pain free for at least a few days in her life. I do pray that life gets less stressful eventually for you and your boys and that eventually you all can begin to smile and even laugh again. Please know that we are all here if there is anything at all that you need, all you have to do is say the word...

I am so very sorry. My aunt just passed away this past week, as well... from Pancreatic Cancer. I pray that you'll know the peace that comes from hope in Christ in the days ahead. I'll be praying for you and your boys as you step into the unknown of life without your precious Katie. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the journey.

So sorry for your loss Kevin. My heart hurts for you, your sons and all those who knew and loved Katie. Please find comfort in knowing Katie is pain free and wrapped in the protective arms of the Lord. May you find peace in the love that surrounds you.

Kevin and family - God bless you all. I am so sorry for your loss. May Katie's lovely self rest in peace and her memory infuse us with courage to face our own challenges with such grace. Thank you for sharing so much with us. I will keep you in my prayers.

So very very sorry for you loss. Katie is suffering no more and your love is still with her. God bless you and your children. Thank you for touching MY life with Katie's story and for reminding us to cherish all we have for as long as we have it God bless you all. I will keep your family in my prayers. *HUGS*

Praying for you and the boys. Katie has touched so many people, and both of you have made us all consider what is truly important in life and in our relationships. Your family will remain in our hearts and prayers. Erin and Mike Cristofaro

So very sad to hear this news, and yet thankful that Katie was able to go peacefully with her family and friends by her side. She was a wonderful inspiration to so many of us, truly a light in this world. My family and I will be praying for you and your children in the days to come. God bless you!

may god's comfort and love surround you all...i am very sorry for your loss...

loosing our beloved ones is very hard, but knowing, that god is with you and your sons and that she is now in the arms of her loving jesus is one of the truths of faith, that helps you through this hard time...

Oh Kevin there are no words right now other then to let you and your boys know that I am sending so much love and strength to you throughout this time!!! What a brave battle Katie fought! May she be at peace now! She was a woman of valour!!!! Mandi xxxx

Kevin, I'm at a loss for what to say. Even though this was expected, it's still ridiculously difficult. I hope and pray that you are able to let God sustain you during this. Please know that you and the boys are never far from my thoughts or my prayers.

Kevin, my heartfelt sympathies are with you and the boys. May God grant you peace and comfort through this incredibly difficult time. Katie has touched so many lives and hearts, including mine, even though we had never met. Your family has been in my daily thoughts and prayers since I learned of her story. I am so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry, but happy that Katie is not in pain any more. My love goes out to you and your sons. May her memories keep all of you warm and loving. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. If here is anything, no matter how large, I can do for you and your sons, please just email me. Hugs,

My heart is breaking as I read this news. I am so very sad. Both you and Katie were such an inspiration to us. And your love story is nothing short of magical. My prayers and condolences to you and the boys during the days ahead. May God Bless you and give you comfort.

Thank you for taking the time to let us know, Kevin. All of us who had the pleasure to meet Katie in person and those who know her from blogland know what an angel she is. Prayers and hugs to you and the boys. I am so very sorry for your loss....xo

As I sit here with tears falling I am happy that Katie is at peace but I am so sad for you and the boys. I may not have met Katie in person but she has been an inspiration to me in crafting and the school of life. There will be a very bright new star tonight.

She was such an inspiration to lots of us, such a wonderful person,I will never forget her, may she rest in peace. Thank you Kevin for putting your grief aside to inform us,my thoughts will be with you and your family in the coming weeks.Claire xxxx

Kevin I am so saddened by the news and so very very sorry that your sweet Katie is gone. I along with so many others pray that God will wrap you and the boys in His loving arms, comfort you and fill you with His peace. You all have been an inspiration to all of us as you have shared this difficult path you have traveled with such grace and strength. I know that your precious memories will always be with you and with time they will help to see beyond this time of pain. Dear Katie will be missed by many. Peace be with you

I have been following Katie's story since shortly after her cancer diagnosis. I am so sorry for your loss, Kevin. I pray that you and your boys will feel comfort and peace in the coming days as you say farewell to Katie.

Kevin, my heart is just hurting right now after reading this news. Although I never met you or your beautiful wife, I feel like I *know* you through following you on this journey. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your boys. May you find comfort in the coming days. Families are Forever.

My heart is sad and aches for your family. I think about the memories that your family has made and pray that they will live vividly in the hearts of you and your boys. May God comfort you in the hours, days, weeks, months and years to come. I thank you for how you have invited this community to walk with you along this journey. We will continue to love on you! Please don't feel shy to ask if you need anything! I know we all feel that way. We want to support you the best that we can, even with all the miles between our families and yours.God Bless you Kevin and Boys!

The Bible says there will come a day when there will be no more pain...this is Katie's day to be walked into God's arms where he says 'Welcome Home my child'...Kevin, please know that Katie touched my heart in knowing her only through this time and has made an impact on my life...that is why we are placed here..to affect another.I pray for peace for you and your entire family...

So sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful Katie. Loving thoughts to you and your boys and may your memories of Katie bring you the comfort you need in the days, weeks and months ahead. God bless you and your boys Kevin.

Praying that you have comfort in the knowledge that Katie is now in the loving arms of Jesus. May the Lord comfort you and your boys and sustain you with his presenced and never ending love over the coming months.

Kevin and sons, I am so sorry for the loss of your wife and mother. My heart is just heavy with sadness. Though I never met Katie she was an inspiration to me - bravely sharing her painful journey. She came across on her blog as a strong and caring person.

Karen / Acts of Simple Kindness for Kids of Widows and Widowers
said...

I was widowed at 38, when our son was just 4 1/2 years old.

My heart breaks for you, and for your children. I know the journey you're about to embark on and it's a hard one.

I want you to know that you will be okay, but it doesn't feel that way now. And that's okay -- there is no rushing grief, but there is another side to grief.

I want you to know that while your children's hearts are broken -- please, know in your heart, they will be okay. Changed forever, but okay.

I run a nonprofit for children of widows and widowers. When you are ready, please check us out -- www.actsofsimplekindness.org. There are a lot of resources that can help you, and your children. You can also email me at karen@actsofsimplekindness.org and I can direct you to more online resources.

You and your family will remain in my prayers. Just please know you will be okay -- even though right now it hurts like hell.

What a legacy your beautiful Katie has left. She touched the hearts and lives of so many people. Thank you for sharing her journey with us. She is in heaven cancer-free, pain-free, and safe in the arms of Jesus and I know she must be smiling down on you and your boys. Your continued dedication to her has been a testimony to us all of true love. It lasts forever. I will continue to pray for you and your family - may the Lord help you through this great time of sadness.Shaunna

Peace to you. Katie touched all of our lives. She was obvioulsy a remarkable woman. She lives on in all of the wonderful memories you shared and in your beautiful boys. We continue to be here for you and the boys if you allow us.

kevin and boys..ty for sharing your katie with us..her courage, strength and love of life will help me to be a stronger person..my heart aches for you and your loving sons..but i know Katie is at peace..and always knowing she had your unconditional love and support..sleep well sweet katie..and wrapping comforting and loving hugs around you and your kevin..loves ya

Hello Kevin I only learned of Katie's fight yesterday, I read her blog for an hour or so last night. While my eyes were filled with tears, I prayed for your precious family! May the Lords peace be upon you at this sad and difficult time. Please know that I will continue to pray for you and the boys! All the very best with the planning of Katie's memorial service.RIP sweet Katie! Lots of love and prayers from Lisa in Brisbane, Australia.

Hugs to you Kevin and your boys. My heart goes out to you now in your time of great sadness. I will sincerely miss Katie's shining personality here. I have three young boys about the same ages as your boys. I want you to know that Katie has reminded me to treasure each and every day with them and take nothing for granted. Thank you for keeping us updated Kevin, you are an amazing man.Hugs Michelle.

I didn't know Katie personally or very well, but her story, and her spirit, courage, and light touched my heart deeply. I am so very sorry for your loss Kevin, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys. Godspeed Katie, you will be missed you touched so many lives. May you rest in peace.

Please know that you and your boys are in my thoughts and prayers. I have followed Katie's journey from the beginning and am heartbroken for you. Her strength and courage is an inspiration to us all...

Kevin, my heart goes out to you and your boys today. I never met Katie but felt like I knew her through our love of paper crafting and blogging. Now she is is at peace without anymore pain. Hugs to all of you.